A mission to secure at least 200 potentially life-saving heart screenings for young people across the Eden Valley has been launched by a homebuilder.
Penrith-based Genesis Homes has selected Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) for Eden as its 2025 Charity of the Year and is aiming to raise over £14,000.
CRY for Eden was set up in 2023 by Donna Mills in response to statistics showing that 12 young people die in the UK every week because of an undiagnosed heart condition.
Since then, the Cumbrian charity has screened the hearts of 605 young people. Of that number, 27 people have been referred for further investigation. The national average for referrals is between 3-5%, and the rate in the Eden Valley currently sits at 4.6%.
The money would guarantee hundreds of local people, aged between 14 and 35, can receive ECGs, which record the heart’s activity to check for any irregularities.
Genesis Homes managing director, Nicky Gordon, said: “The work CRY for Eden carries out in our local area is of huge importance and has already likely saved the lives of local young people.
“On hearing it costs £13,800 to screen 200 young people’s hearts, the team at Genesis Homes set the challenge of reaching this amount for 2025 as a minimum, but we want to raise even more than this to further boost the charity’s vital work.
“For the next 12 months, we will all be contributing to the fundraising effort through bake offs, walks, physical challenges, golf days and hosting our annual charity ball which has gained significant support over the years. We are determined to help in any way possible to raise money and awareness of such a worthwhile cause operating on our doorstep.”
Donna said: “A staggering 80% of young people who die from an undiagnosed heart condition have no prior knowledge or symptoms of any issue. Furthermore, one in 300 people in the UK between these ages will have a life-threatening condition, and one in 100 will have something which requires regular monitoring.
“This is why making sure as many people aged between 14 and 35 are screened for cardiac defects or abnormalities is essential, and why CRY for Eden was formed.
“I’m absolutely over the moon Genesis Homes is showing such amazing support by choosing us as its Charity of the Year in 2025. The money and support will be invaluable and will help us to fund future screening events in Penrith.
“CRY for Eden aims to hold cardiac screening for young people over three weekends each year, so to have the Genesis team on board championing our cause and aiming to secure enough for at least one wave of screening is a huge contribution.”
The heart screenings for young people can be accessed free of charge and are booked via the CRY for Eden Facebook page.
The homebuilder’s 2024 Charity of the Year was Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity offering free support groups across the UK including locations near to Genesis Homes developments. Numerous fundraising events and activities were held to support the organisation, raising close to £20,000 for this valuable cause.
Nicky added: “I’m extremely proud of the team in their fundraising efforts for Andy’s Man Club and grateful for the immense support shown to not only raise such a fantastic total but to spread awareness of this fantastic charity.”
